Ghaleon's Plan
Nash stared blankly, blinking in disbelief.
"Wha…what?" he stuttered. Althena had to exist! "Are you saying there is no goddess?"
"Oh, she is very real," Royce said smugly. "In fact, she is a living, breathing creature made of flesh and bone. The goddess bleeds red blood, just like you and me, Nash."
"Althena was incarnated as a human." Nash stated dryly, completely unamused. Royce grinned with satisfaction.
"You're sharp, Nash," she cocked her head. "Fifteen years ago, Althena sought the aid of Dragonmaster Dyne. She grew tired of humans bickering for her attention. The dragonmaster proposed that she leave the Goddess Tower and her divine form behind to become a mortal, living life among her people.
"When you were just a toddler Nash, Dyne assisted Althena in becoming human. He disappeared afterwards, presumed dead but I do not know the dragonmaster's fate," Royce paused. Nash wondered how old she really was. Royce didn't look more than a year or two his senior, but spoke as if she were so much more.
"Nash, you know the history of the human race. Mortals make war by nature. Without a goddess, people will cause their own demise," she spoke with such passion Nash was drawn into her speech. She slammed her fist on the table. "LUNAR MUST HAVE A LEADER!"
Royce's face flushed with anger. She inhaled deeply, ran a hand through her blonde hair, and regained her poise.
There was a long minute of silence as Nash pondered. What she was saying made sense; it was human nature to make war against each other. But what did he have to do with it all?
"You've pledged your service to Lord Ghaleon, no?" Royce asked, breaking the silence.
"Y-yes… but what does that have to do with anything?"
"Despite what Hell Mel and Lemia Ausa might like you to think, Ghaleon is the most powerful man on Lunar. He has unseen allies stretched across the planet, waiting. My people are among his followers," she said with a dreamy look on her face. "When the time is right, Ghaleon will restore divine power to Lunar so that we may go back to the old ways."
"Ghaleon?" Nash asked skeptically. If there was anyone he admired as much as Mia, it was Ghaleon. The guildleader had taught him how to improve his lightening magic, and entrusted only him to run errands. Could his hero really be secretly undertaking a task that would change the world?
"Yes, Ghaleon is a good man," Royce said dryly.
"I would do anything for Ghaleon," replied Nash. Except hurt Mia, he added silently. "But what good is one student up against the rest of the world? Sure, I'm talented but…"
"I've read your cards, Nash, gazed into your future. You will become close to the greened one, the next dragonmaster, and the girl who once was the goddess. The dragonboy will lead the opposition against Ghaleon. Weak, yes, but if he completes his quest to become dragonmaster he will be powerful enough prove to be a threat. He had completed the trail of the white dragon. He must not complete the other three. You will travel with the green-eyed one and report his progress to me, and, if necessary, stop him."
Nash drew back. "It's a just cause, but I don't want to be entangled with disputes over world power and I will not hurt anyone…"
"As you wish," Royce snapped, annoyed. She leaned back and began to toy carelessly with a deck of tarot cards that had materialized in her hands. "If you don't wish to be of service, I could easily find another. Although, Ghaleon could arrange Mia Ausa's hand in marriage and appoint you the next guildmaster…"
"Mia?" Nash's jaw dropped. What is so obvious he had it bad for her that even practical strangers knew? "I would never force Mia to marry me! I care too much—"
Nash was cut short. Royce, who'd grown impatient, slowly rose from her seat. She strutted around the table, swinging her hips and flipping her hair. Nash stared up at her, mouth gaping. Damn, she was hot. But what would Mia think…
Royce grabbed the collar of Nash's tunic, pulling him up. She gripped his shirt and stared, her crimson eyes wide, deep into his gaze. She was two or so inches taller than him, making Nash feel powerless next to such an intimidating woman.
"In time, Mia will see all you've done for her," Royce whispered. Her lips brushed against Nash's.
"But…"
"Until then, forget Mia. I am yours, here and now…" she trailed off. She curled her arms around his waste, pulled him against her. Her cold, dry lips met Nash's warm, moist mouth. He responded, hungrily kissing Royce, acting passionately in response to all frustration over Mia. Royce did want him, here and now. But did she appreciate him? Did she really desire him for who he was?
"Royce," Nash pulled back, holding Royce at an arm's length away. "This… this isn't right… I like you, but we barely know each other. I love Mia. I don't want to screw that up by doing something that would make her think less of me."